North Shore News in Brief

Aug 26, 2019

Marblehead’s me&thee coffeehouse welcomes back New England- based folk quartet Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem on Friday, Sept. 13, at 8 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St. After seventeen years of touring and recording, this seasoned band’s wit, camaraderie, and original mix of contemporary and traditional music leaves audiences humming and happy. Fiddle, bass, electric and acoustic guitar ,ukulele, percussion, are all part of what drives the joy and rapture of their music. Tickets for Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem are $20 advance/$23 at the door/ students, $10. Online at www.meandthee.org, or in person at the Spirit of Bookstore or the Arnould Gallery in Marblehead. Homemade pastries, coffee, and teas will be avialable, and the venue is handicapped-friendly, smoke free and easily reached by MBTA bus. For more information call 781-631-8987 or visit: www.meandthee.org.

Salem Main Streets needs local Salem enthusiasts to greet visitors at the October Information Booth. Volunteers will staff the booth at the start of the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, handing out maps and sharing information about Salem. Last year volunteers assisted over 22,000 visitors during weekends and holidays in October. All volunteers must serve a minimum of two shifts for two hours each and will be required to complete a one hour orientation session on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 9:30 a.m. at the National Park Service Regional Visitor Center. We also need volunteers to serve ay other event throughout the month and multi-lingual volunteers to assist the many international visitors who come to Salem. If you’d enjoy helping visitors please join us. For more volunteer information, contact Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets’Executive Director, at (978)744-0004 x115 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org.

Salem Haunted Happenings returns this October with a full month of programming. Expect costume parties, film nights, ghost stories, harbor tours, haunted houses, live music, magic shows, museums, psychic fairs, reenactments, and walking tours. Recognized internationally as a spooktacular place to celebrate Halloween, Salem Haunted Happenings has extended business hours, special programs, pumpkin-themed menu items, and souvenirs. Warming up the final weekend of September with the Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival and Vampfangs’ Endless Night Vampire Ball, Salem Haunted Happenings officially steps off with the Grand Parade on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m. After that, weekends will be full of activities for all ages, including, at the new Charlotte Forten Park, the Fountain Stage that spent nearly 20 years on Essex Street, along with music, free family films, and a beer garden. Also new, the Salem Halloween Museum at 131 Essex St., a 3-D trip down memory lane to learn the history of Halloween. For complete event information, visit: HauntedHappenings.org, or the blog on HauntedHappenings.org.

The Marblehead Little Theater Summer of Music concert series hosts “Four Piece Suit” with music you’ve heard on “Sex and the City” and “Dexter” on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 8 p.m. Their humor, romance and pulsing category-defying range of rhythm is sexy, sophisticated, yet tongue-in-cheek. Described as “a highball of sea-foam-soaked guitar and squalling tenor sax, shaken—not stirred—with surf tangos, Battista-era mambos, beach blanket boppers, spy music, crime jazz, and movie themes.” With Milt Reder on guitar, Jeff Giacomelli on sax, David Becker on bass and Seth Pappas on drums, their cinematic mix of long forgotten musical influences is a film festival favorite. For more information, visit www.fourpiecesuitband.com. All Summer of Music events are hosted in MLT’s Firehouse Theatre at 12 School St. in Marblehead. For more information and tickets, visit: mltlive.org.

On Tuesday, Aug. 27, Cantemus is holding auditions for tenors and basses for its 2019-2020 season at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 4 Ocean St., Beverly, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., prior to the annual Season Preview Sing, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Another chance to audition comes up on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. before the first rehearsal at Miles River Middle School, 787 Bay Road, Hamilton. Cantemus rehearses Tuesdays from 7:30 until 10 p.m. at Miles River Middle School for three concerts, Dec. 7, 8, and 15. For more information or to schedule an audition, call 888-CHORUS-1 (888-246-7871) or visit www.cantemus.org.

Celebrate a 284th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., with social and cultural historian Judith Anderson, at the King Hooper Mansion. Sept. 8 was the second of four wedding anniversary dates for Robert “King” Hooper, and Anderson will honor all four of Hooper’s wives, noting how each fit into his long and successful but ultimately pain-filled life. Anderson will discuss Hooper’s wife of 28 years, Ruth, the mother of all 11 of his children (10 of whom would survive to adulthood), and the 18 women and children who called the Hooper Mansion “home” in the 1700s, but who are now virtually unknown — including why there were four anniversaries for Marblehead’s “King.” This illustrated, informal talk hosted by the Marblehead Arts Association takes place at the King Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper St., Marblehead. Tickets are $5 members, $10 nonmembers. Call 781-631-2608.

On Monday, Sept. 9, 50+ Job Seekers Regional Networking Group launches the first of a series of workshops from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the lower level of Ipswich Town Hall, 25 Green St. Ipswich area residents over age 50 are invited to participate in this networking group specifically geared to the needs of a range of participants including those unemployed, underemployed, unhappily employed, returning to the workforce after a gap or retired and seeking a new career. Those looking for full- or part-time employment are welcome. Sessions will focus on topics including assessing skills, developing a search plan, revising resumes, creating a LinkedIn profile, interviewing, networking and more. Materials and resources will be offered. Issues of ageism will be addressed. Check in at 4 p.m.; There will be a Q&A from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Next dates are Sept. 23, Oct. 21 and 28, Nov. 18 and 25, Dec. 9. Registration is required at www.mcoaonline.com/50plus. Questions? Call Shiela at 978-356-6650.

Care Dimensions, formerly Hospice of the North Shore & Greater Boston, invites the community to nominate a person or persons who has shown commitment to improving the lives of veterans. Submission deadline is Friday, Sept. 20, and nominees must live on the North Shore, MetroWest or the Merrimack Valley — or within one of the 95 Massachusetts communities served by Care Dimensions. Honorees will be recognized at a “We Honor Veterans” luncheon. Submit the nominee’s name, along with 300 words or less telling why this person is being nominated, at www.CareDimensions.org/Veterans; by mail to Care Dimensions, We Honor Veterans Award, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923; or via email to SMeehan@CareDimensions.org.

North Shore Community College’s Marketing and Design Programs Kickoff takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Danvers Campus, 1 Ferncroft Road, Room DS106. If you’re interested in a career in marketing, social media marketing, graphic design or integrated media, join this free, special event. Get how-to tips from companies hiring today and network with award-winning faculty and NSCC alumni working in the creative arts industry. Coffee and breakfast provided. To RSVP or for more information, contact Professor Dianne McDermott Cerasuolo, dmcdermo@northshore.edu.

“The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs” will be the focus of best-selling author Katherine Howe’s Marblehead Museum talk and book signing on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. Howe will discuss this critically acclaimed new book, a sequel to her best-seller, “The Physick Book of Deliverane Dane,” both of which are set in Marblehead, Salem, and the Boston area. The event will take place in the Carolyn Lynch Education Center at Marblehead Museum, 170 Washington St, followed by book signing and sales. Admission is $10 for members, $15 nonmembers. Space is limited; reservations are required at 781-631-1768 or online at marbleheadmuseum.org. The Marblehead Museum Fall Lecture Series is sponsored by Marble Harbor Investment Counsel.

The early records of Marblehead’s Second Congregational Church (now Unitarian-Universalist Church) have been digitized and are freely available online. These papers, journals, and ledgers span from 1714 to 1850 and include records of baptisms, member lists, marriages, church meeting minutes, and disciplinary records. To access, visit marbleheadmuseum.org/marblehead-history-documents/ or the Congregational Library and Archives website. Records of the First Congregational Church (Old North) and Third Congregational Church are also available.

On Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m., the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers, 15 Sylvan St., welcomes Gerald Lodge who will present Medicare 101, a better understanding of what’s covered, how and when to enroll, how to apply, how to choose a plan, the differences between Parts A, B, and D, and more. Lodge, a Community Development expert with Tufts Health. Lodge has spent more than 30 years working in the Medicare health plan industry, including the last 20 years of those with Tufts. This presentation is on Medicare, not Tufts Health plans, and no sales material will be handed out. A Q&A will follow the presentation. Register at danverslibrary.org or at 978-774-0554.

Author Ezra Parzybok will visit the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers, 15 Sylvan St., on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m., to discuss his book, “Cannabis Consulting: Helping Patients, Parents, and Practitioners Understand Medical Marijuana.” Q&A and book signing to follow. Parzybok taught art, science, and humanities before becoming a medical cannabis educator, caregiver, and consultant. He also serves as a business consultant in the cannabis industry at his firm Greenglove Consulting. They work on business development, compliance and licensing support for marijuana companies in New England. For information and registration, visit danverslibrary.org or call 978-774-0554.

The Peabody Institute Library of Danvers, 15 Sylvan St., is launching a monthly genealogy series, “Digging for Roots Genealogy Series: Getting Started with Your Research,” beginning Thursday, Sept. 12, at 7 p.m. Professional genealogist Seema Kenney will discuss where to begin. Starting with pen and paper and introducing the proper genealogical forms, explore how and where to research family history. Discuss tracking research, how best to include the Internet, questions to ask living relatives and things you can do to help others who are researching their ancestors. Register at danverslibrary.org or at 978-774-0554.

The Fifth Annual Tour de Greenbelt kicks off at 9 a.m. on Sept. 21, at Greenbelt’s Cox Reservation in Essex. Choose from three untimed routes that can be cycled at your own pace: a half-century (50 miles) road ride, a shorter route (25 miles) road ride, and the 40-mile Gravel Grinder suitable for cyclists with the proper bike, with off-road excursions into protected forests and reservations. Riders will enjoy cycling past more than 50 of Greenbelt’s protected properties, venturing into state forests, ascending Sagamore Hill in the Donovan Reservation for beautiful views, then returning to Cox Reservation for a barbecue and music under the Big Tent. Riders register at www.bikereg.com/tourdegreenbelt before Sept. 16, or the morning of the event starting at 7:30 a.m. Registration is $155, $175 for nonmembers with fundraising optional. Riders can also select the $50 fundraiser rate. Race day registration is $200. Proceeds from this fundraiser help Greenbelt conserve the region’s farmland, wildlife habitat, scenic landscapes and places.

On Thursday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m., researcher Margaret Meahl will discuss “Faith Trumbull Huntington: An 18th Century Woman and the Revolutionary War,” at the The Peabody Institute Library of Danvers, 15 Sylvan St. An exceptional woman living in extraordinary times, Trumbull Huntington traveled to the Patriot encampment in Roxbury during the Siege of Boston in 1775, and unknowingly arrived on the day of the brutal Battle of Bunker Hill. What happened to her after that? Meahl’s presentation, based on the Trumbull and Huntington family archives at the Connecticut Historical Society, includes details culled from primary and secondary sources, and sheds light on girls’ education, religion, colonial American women, the Revolutionary War, mental illness, funerals, and family.

On Saturday, Sept. 21, Northeast Arc presents a standup comedy showcase at Peabody’s Black Box Theater, 22 Foster St. A spinoff from Israeli Wonder Yael Gavish’s podcast, it lets the audience experience a different world view from performers with international roots who now call Boston home. Presale tickets are $12, $20 at the door. Doors open at 5 p.m., the show starts at 5:30 p.m. and runs till 6:45 p.m. Cash bar. For more information, call 978-548-5854, or visit https://ne-arc.org/services/black-box-theater/

Castle Hill Picnic Concerts continue on Thursdays, through Aug. 29, with family-friendly bands performing on the Grand Allee overlooking Crane Beach. Enjoy the sounds and sea and stroll the garden’s 32-piece outdoor sculpture exhibition created in partnership with New England Sculptors Association. Bring a picnic or purchase seafood, roast beef, ice cream from on-site vendors and local beverages at a beer and wine garden. Outside alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Castle Hill on the Crane Estate is located at 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich. Gates open at 5 p.m. for picnicking. Concerts run from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission at gate only: $35 per car or $25 per car for Trustees members. Motorcycles and walk-ins $10 for nonmembers; $8 for members. Weather cancellations announced by 3 p.m. day of concert at www.thetrustees.org/picnicconcerts or call 978-356-4351 ext. 4052.

On Saturday, Sept. 7, from 4 to 9 p.m., Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Association, Montserrat College of Art and participants from Salem and Beverly kick off the Crossing Water Arts Festival with a free Party On The Bridge. This family-friendly block party is part of Montserrat’s weeklong Arts Festival on both sides of the Salem-Beverly Bridge. BSNNA will light up Remond Park while Montserrat lights up the bridge. Music, dancing, a shipping container art gallery, food vendors, craft beer tent, face painting, games and bubbles are all part of the fun, all at the pier. Half of raffle proceeds support recent Bridge Street Neck fire victims. Visit www.facebook.com/BridgeStreetNeck or email bridgestneck@gmail.com for more information.

17th Century Saturdays continue at The Gables this fall, beginning with “Arts and Mysteries Revealed: Historical Carpentry,” Saturday, Sept. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before power tools, sheetrock or foam insulation, the mastery of carpentry created works of lasting elegance and functionality. If you’ve ever wondered how, travel back to a long ago Salem with educator Mike Welch, who is known for his entertaining and informative explorations of the tools and techniques of early woodworkers. 17th Century Saturdays happen at the Gables, 115 Derby St., Salem, on the first Saturday of each month — Sept. 7, Oct. 5 and Nov. 2 — and run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is included with the price of admission. Each will present a new mystery to explore at First Period (1625) sites like The House of the Seven Gables. For more information, visit: https://7gables.org/.

Members of Bishop Fenwick High School class of 1964 will hold a 55th class reunion on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from noon to 4 p.m., at Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott St, Danvers. It will be a buffet luncheon. To contact the yacht club, call 978-774-8622.

On Sept. 7 and 8, the Ipswich Humane Group is teaming up with Marini Farm in Ipswich to host the Doggy Maze Daze Fundraiser to support the Ipswich Animal Shelter. One weekend only Marini Farm opens the corn maze for pet owners and their four-legged friends to get lost from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry to maze 5 p.m.) Marini Farm, 259 Linebrook Road, Ipswich, is just a mile east of Route 1. Admission is $14.99 per person; four-legged friends are free. There are 8 acres of family friendly pathways in the maze with helpers perched high above as guides. After the maze, visit the mall on the fields plus the 1-acre mini maze, 70′Jumping Pillow, 50-foot Giant Tube Slide, Pirate Ship Play Structure, Giant Chair, Rope Maze, Corn Silo Dig, Sand pile, Duck Races, Bounce Houses (height/weight restrictions apply), Cow Train, Games and Hayrides — all included. Every guest, ages 2 and older, must have an admission wristband. Dogs must be leashed. Those 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, visit www.ipswichhumanegroup.org/doggy-maze-daze.html.

On Saturday, Sept. 7, Riverside Squares Dance Club is hosting a free party with pizza and an introductory class in Modern Square dancing. Put on your dancing shoes and come at 7 p.m. for an hour of fun at All Saints Episcopal Church, 13 Holten St., Danvers. No partner or special clothes are necessary. If you can walk briskly, you’re welcome, and invited to watch the regular monthly club dance which follows from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Regular weekly classes start Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., for 10 weeks at a cost of $85 per person. For more information, visit Riversidesquares.org or call 978-774-8159.

The Miracle League of the North Shore is ready to play ball on the field of the Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf field in Beverly. This fall, games will take place on Sept. 7 and 21, Oct. 19 and 26. The Miracle League is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that gives children with unique challenges a chance to play baseball as a part of a team in an organized league at no cost to their family. Every player bats once each inning, all players are safe on the bases, all score home runs, volunteers serve as ‘buddies’ to assist the players, and everybody wins! The Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf, 6 Echo Ave., Beverly, is home to an all-accessible, completely rubberized field, where all games are held. Registration, player and volunteer arrivals begin at 9:30 a.m. Warmups follow from 10 to 10:30 a.m., and the official game from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Pizza will be provided for all.

Beverly artist Constance Festo Lafond is having her second one-person show at the Beverly Farms Library, 24 Vine St., Beverly, Sept. 9 through 27. The artist will host a reception on Sept. 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Her art includes impressionist watercolors, collages, acrylic paintings as well as photography. She also has T-shirts, coasters, trays, cutting boards, pillows – all with her original colorful art images. Library hours are Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 617-840-9451 or visit her FB page at: is @constantlycreating.

Hawthorne in Hollywood! presents the 1940 movie, “House of the Seven Gables,” at The Gables on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 6:30 p.m. Watch as actor Vincent Price leads a one-of-a-kind tour of The Gables in this second evening in the “Hawthorne in Hollywood” film series. George Sanders and Margaret Lindsay join Price on the screen in performances in a gothic romance adapted from Hawthorne’s classic, “The House of the Seven Gables.” Bring friends, bring family, settle in with some popcorn and soft drinks and enjoy an evening like no other. This community film series runs through Oct. 4, ending with the great Swedish director Victor Sjöström’s silent film interpretation of the Scarlet Letter (1926). Showtime is 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 general; $12 for members.

On Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 6 to 7 p.m., Care Dimensions will host a side-by-side support meeting of sharing stories and strategies of the North Shore Ostomy Support Group, led by a panel of individuals who have all supported a loved one with an ostomy. Speakers will include an ostomy nurse, a grief counselor, and some experienced spouses. The meeting will be held at Care Dimensions’ Kaplan Family Hospice House, Rogers Room. 78 Liberty St., in Danvers. For more information, call Laura Berry, 978-412-7124, northshoreostomy5@gmail.com.

Peabody Garden Club members will host its annual Pot Luck Dinner and Auction on Sept. 5, at 6 p.m. at St. John’s the Baptist Church Hall, 17 Chestnut St., Peabody. Members are asked to please bring an item to be auctioned. Auction donated items may include produce from your gardens, perennials, flowers, garden books , decor, tools, or any garden related garden items and seasonal decor. This is one of the club’s largest fundraisers; guest fee is $5. For more information, contact: President: Kim Bressler at: thepeabodygardenclub@gmail.com. Or call or text at 978-223-3247.

Step back in time and meet Isabella Stewart Gardner, famed founder of the Gardner Museum in Boston on Monday, Sept. 9, at the Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St. Learn about her life, charm, friends and acquaintances, travels, stylish taste, and unconventional behavior. An informative presentation from the cast of Delvena Theatre Company will open up to the audience for lively discussion. The free performance, part of the “Monday Mornings” program series, is held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Sohier Room. The event is supported in part by a grant from the Beverly Cultural Council, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Light refreshments served at 9 a.m. No registration required. Handicapped accessible. Questions? wmail: Ona at ridenour@noblenet.org. For more information, visit: https://beverlypubliclibrary.org/monday-mornings/

Children, ages three and younger, and their caregivers are invited to PJ Library Mommy & Me with a Jewish Twist. Enjoy a morning of socializing and meeting new friends, creative music and movement with Jewish themes, free play and snack. This program will be held on the following Mondays: Sept. 9, 16, 23, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 9:30 –11 a.m. at Chabad of Peabody, 682 Lowell Street in Peabody. PJ Library Mommy & Me with a Jewish Twist is a free program of Chabad of Peabody and Lappin Foundation and is open to all. RSVPs are requested to Raizel at www.chabadpeabody.com or 978-977-9111. Walk-ins are welcome.

On Tuesday, Sept. 3, there will be a Salem Ward 6 Candidate Forum, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Community Life Center, 401 Bridge Street. Sponsored by League Of Women Voters Salem, you may submit candidate questions, or ask for further information at: www.lwvsalem.org or by emailing: lwvsalem@gmail.com.

Creedence Clearwater Revisited will perform in the Arena on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. at the 201st Topsfield Fair. Founding members and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Stu Cook and Doug “Cosmo” Clifford have had quite a ride, but recently announced they are ending the touring band, so don’t miss this last chance to catch these stars rise to the occasion again with legendary songs in concert, including: “Fortunate Son,” “Born on the Bayou,” and “Proud Mary,” Tickets are $30 for pit (standing in front of the stage) and $25 for general admission. Fair admission is $15 daily, at www.topsfieldfair.org through Sept. 30, 2019. Discount tickets can be purchased for $12. A three-day pass is $30. Children under eight with an adult are free. Discounted food vouchers and ride tickets are also available when purchased in advance at www.topsfieldfair.org.

Lappin Foundation and the North Suburban Jewish Community Center invite families with children, 5 and younger, to get ready for Rosh Hashanah with hayrides, apple picking, a holiday arts & crafts project, feeding the animals and more, on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. –11:30 a.m. at Brooksby Farm, 54 Felton St., Peabody. Older siblings are welcome, PJ Library Get Ready for Rosh Hashanah is a free program of Lappin Foundation and the North Suburban Jewish Community Center and is supported by CJP. For more information or to RSVP, contact Phyllis Osher at 978-740-4404 or posher@lappinfoundation.org.

On Sunday, Sept. 8, from 1 to 3 p.m., Castle Hill on the Crane Estate invites you to drop in and create a sculpture combining metal scraps with magnets in the Great House Ballroom. Madeleine Lord, a New England Sculptors Association member and participant in the current “Spirit of Place” outdoor sculpture exhibition at Castle Hill, will bring a large assortment of found metal scraps, old tools, remnants from years of scavenging, along with an assortment of Neodymium magnets (strong, rare earth magnets) which allow artists to join steel and build a sculpture. Take a photo of your masterpiece, then leave the materials for others to work with. Imaginative play with found metal is fun for all. Lord will have samples on hand as inspiration. This program is free with admission to Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich. For more informaion, visit: www.thetrustees.org or call 978.356.4351 x4015.

The Ipswich Public Library will hold its 15th annual “Ipswich Reads One Book” initiative with a month-long schedule of events this fall to encourage the community to read the same book and come together to explore its themes and issues in a variety of forums. The reading selection this year is “Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey through His Son’s Addiction,” by David Sheff, who will be our keynote speaker on Nov. 7, at the Ipswich Performing Arts Center, 134 High St. Sheff, who chronicles his son’s downward spiral into addiction and steps toward recovery, has created a fiercely candid memoir that brings immediacy to the emotional roller coaster of loving a child who seems beyond help, as only a parent can. Copies may be borrowed at the library in a variety of formats. In addition to discussions and the keynote event, the library will offer a number of special events and informational programs presented by treatment providers, to panel discussions with law enforcement, and everything in between –since everyone intersects with this issue in a different way. For complete schedule, with descriptions and registration requirements, visit: www.ipswichlibrary.org, or contact Library Director, Patty DiTullio, at pditullio@ipswichlibrary.org or 978-356-6649.

Hamilton-Wenham Library now has a select bestsellers “to-go.” Check out our new collection of hot titles, recent bestsellers in high demand, waiting for someone to check them out. These popular items circulate for two weeks, are not holdable, and may not be renewed. Swing by to check the shelf often, or browse the complete list of titles at: hwlibrary.org/hot-titles. Hamilton-Wenham Public Library is located at 14 Union St. South Hamilton. For more information, call 978-468-5577, or visit: hwlibrary.org.

The North Shore Chapter of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 1 p.m. at the Torigian Senior Center, 75R Central St., Peabody. We welcome both old members and new federal retirees. For more information call Mike Evers at 781-842-3619.

THE BLOCK downtown street party is back in Beverly on Saturday, Aug, 24, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., with one block of Cabot Street from Pond to Federal streets closed to traffic and open for action. Meet friends, enjoy multiple vendors’ street food, beer and wine, and dance to live music from Over the Bridge, The Rupert Selection and John Jerome Band at the Pond Street stage. Soulo Productionz will DJ all night at Beverly Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza at One Ellis Square. Soft drinks and water will be for sale. While supplies last, novelty can coolers are available with $5 suggested donation at admission gates. Because alcohol will be served, this is an adult event, with no planned activities for children. If you plan to drink, bring your Massachusetts State ID. And please bring cash, as all vendors take cash only. Please note that bags may be subject to inspection. This is a great, grownup night for a sitter. No pets, bikes, skateboards, hover boards, rollerblades or drones.

Saturday, Sept. 7, is Choate Island Day at the Crane Wildlife Refuge, where foxes roam fields and osprey fly over breathtaking views of Essex Bay. Once home to generations of the Choate family, the island was later a retreat for Cornelius and Mine Crane, who are buried at the summit. Park your car at Crane Beach, catch the shuttle at the dock, and miles of trails, wild landscapes, and historic buildings are yours to experience. Shuttles run continuously from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The last boat departs at 1 pm, and the last boat returns at 3 p.m. A guided hike to the summit, where Cornelius and Mine are buried; A history talk at the white cottage; poetry reading and story telling at the Proctor Barn; Stationed interpreters at the Choate House, White Cottage, and Proctor Barn; Natural history interpretation and activities on the beach; Maintained trails for self-guided hikes. Pack a picnic; no alcohol, but refreshments will be served. The Crane Estate is located at 290 Argilla Rd., Ipswich. Parking is at Crane Beach, with a van shuttle to the boat dock and a ferry. Tickets in advance or at thedock. Adult Trustees members, $12; Nonmembers, $20 for nonmembers; Senior Trustee members $6; Nonmembers, $10. For more information, visit: www.thetrustees.org/CraneOutdoors or call 978.356.4351 x4052.

The Ipswich Public Library’s next featured author for the 2019 Johnson Lecture series is naturalist and national bestseller Sy Montgomery, who will discuss and read from her works on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. Researching articles, films, and her 21 books, she’s been chased by an angry silverback gorilla, hunted by a tiger in India, swum with piranhas, electric eels and pink dolphins in the Amazon. From the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea to the Altai Mountains of the Gobi, she has met and befriended all manner of beautiful beasts of the earth and loved every minute of it. Seating is limited so registration is required at this free event at the Mansion at the Hellenic Center (117 County Rd. Rt. 1A, Ipswich, MA). Please register on the library’s online calendar or call 978-356-6648. Book sales and cash bar will available at 6:30 p.m. This event is recommended for ages 10 and up. For more information, contact Nathalie Harty (nharty@ipswichlibrary.org/call 978-356-6648.

Fuddruckers will present the 12th annual A Reason to Ride on Sunday, Sept. 8, at 75 Sylvan St., Danvers. Hosted by Ramiro of HOT 96.9, and former Channel 5 anchor Susan Wornick, the event raises money for cancer research at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Start times are 8:30 a.m., 50 miles: 25 Mile: 9:30 a.m., 10 Mile: 10:30 a.m,; 5K Walk: 10:45 a.m. Participants choose their distance. The route covers the coast of the North Shore, from Danvers to Wenham, Hamilton, Essex, Manchester by the Sea, Gloucester, Ipswich, Georgetown and Topsfield, depending on length, then returns to Danvers. Non-riders can take part in a 5K walk. All pre-registered participants get an event t-shirt and a free BBQ lunch from Fuddruckers. For more information and to register, visit www.areasontoride.com.

The Beverly Public Library will hold an evening with Beverly authors on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. in the Sohier Room of the Main Library, 32 Essex St, Beverly. Meet Meghan MacLean Weir (The Book of Essie), Lisa Fenn (Carry On), and S.E. Grove (The Waning Age) and hear what they have to say about their books. All are welcome to attend this special event, organized in partnership with Beverly High School Library. Copper Dog Books will be on site with books available for purchase. Questions? Contact Allison Babin, Assistant Library Director, at babin@noblenet.org.

Danvers High School Class of 1979 will hold its 40th reunion on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 6 to 10 p.m., at the Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott St, in Danvers. Significant others are of course welcome! The cost is $60 per person, and includes dinner, music, and giveaways. If interested, please contact Cheryl Tibaudo at 978-985-8580 or email: tibaudoc#gmail.com.

The Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Class of 1994 will celebrate its 25th Reunion on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Teresa’s (formerly Thompson’s Country Club), 20 Elm St. (Route 62), North Reading. The event begins at 7 p.m., $42 per person includes dinner stations and music. A cash bar will be available. To pay by check mail check to: Jodi Hernandez, PVMHS Class of 1994, P.O. Box 4440, Peabody, MA 01961. Make checks payable to Jodi Hernandez PVMHS . To pay by Venmo send payment to: @PVMHS1994 *Please put name(s) of attendant(s) in the comments. Questions? Email Jodi at jodidehernandez@yahoo.com or message Carrie Hoffman Berger on FB. Join the Facebook group PVMHS Class of 1994 Reunion to stay connected.

Saturday Night in Marblehead, monthly coffeehouse at the Church of St. Andrew in Marblehead, presents country blues and Americana musician Martin Grosswendt on Saturday, Aug., 24, at 8 p.m. A nominee for the W. C. Handy Blues Award, Grosswendt sings, plays guitar, mandolin, five-string banjo, and fiddle—and is best known for his interpretations of 1920s and 1930s blues. He has shared the stage, as a solo artist, with Jesse Winchester, Tom Rush, Sam and Dave, Taj Mahal, NRBQ, and other legendary performers. Recent recordings include The Ragpicker String Band, which was nominated for Best Acoustic Album of the Year by the Blues Music Awards, and Old Songs, New Hats, recorded with singing partner Susanne Salem-Schatz. Doors open at 7:30. Admission at the door, is $15. The Church of St. Andrew (www.standrewsmhd.org) is at 135 Lafayette St., (Route 114) in Marblehead, near the Salem line and is handicapped accessible.

The Explorers Lifelong Learning Institute of Salem State University has scheduled its 2019 summer guest speakers program, running July and August on select Monday and Wednesday mornings, from 10 a.m. to noon. A wide variety of topics will be featured at the institute’s downtown Salem headquarters at 10 Federal St. Topics range from Salem abolitionists Sarah Parker Remond and Charles Lenox Remond, to eating your way to good health, and Marc Chagall and his stained glass windows. The Salem Explorers group is one of more than 400 Lifelong Learning Institute chapters across the country offering learning opportunities to adults 50 and up. There is no charge for intersession programs, but donations are welcome. Intersession is also open to nonmembers. For more information, visit explorerslli.org or call 978-744-0804.

Beverly Bootstraps’ Summer Food Program provides food for school-aged children this summer, through Aug. 30. Families with children will be able to visit the Beverly Bootstraps Food Pantry, 35 Park St, every week, instead of every other week, at these times: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and Tuesday from 4 to 6:45 p.m. Registration is required and may be done Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 to 9:30 a.m., and Tuesday from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is needed to register, but clients must bring children’s birth certificate, Social Security card or report card, as well as current proof of Beverly residence (such as a piece of mail addressed to you within the last 2 weeks).

The Salem High School Class of 1960 will hold a reunion picnic, rain or shine, at Salem Willows Park (across from the Arcade) on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at noon. Members and friends are welcome. Coffee, cookies, pizza and water will be provided. Bring a chair and pack lunch or buy it at concession stands. For more information, call Dennis Korumpas at 978-744-7594, Sisty Klein at 978-594-5776 or email Walt Doblecki at wdoblecki@comcast.net.

Essex Heritage, in cooperation with the Trustees of Reservations, is offering two new public boat tours aboard the landing craft Naumkeag to Misery Island, each offering a look at the history of the Salem Sound islands. The Island Hops Tour — Thursdays through Aug. 29 — departs at 5:30 p.m. and is a narrated, 21 and older cruise. Enjoy a Notch beer and get up-close looks of the Salem Sound islands. The Misery Island Castaway Tour (ages 4 and up) departs at 2 p.m. on Fridays through Aug. 30, and goes straight to Misery Island where you can join a treasure hunt. All tours leave from the dock adjacent to the Salem Ferry Landing at 10 Blaney St., where there is free parking. The Naumkeag is a large, open landing craft with a bow front that drops down so passengers can walk directly onto the beach. For tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/island-hops-tour-tickets-63445482145. For more details, visit www.EssexHeritage.org or call 978-740-0444.

SeniorCare’s RSVP Volunteers of the North Shore program is in need of volunteer drivers to take elders to their medical appointments. Commitment is flexible and volunteers determine their own hours. For information on this and other volunteer opportunities, call 978-281-1750, ext. 572, or email rsvp@seniorcareinc.org.

The Beverly Public Library is holding free weekly adult English language practice groups on Fridays, from 11 to 11:45 a.m., at 32 Essex St. Led by local volunteers, these gatherings center around common American English expressions, grammatical curiosities, useful vocabulary, and cultural references. No registration required. For more information, contact Martha at 978-921-6062, ext. 2119 or mamorgan@noblenet.org.

Free rides are once again being offered on the Salem Trolley for Salem residents this summer, through Sept. 30. You must provide proof of residency to qualify at the Salem Trolley office at 8 Central Street in downtown Salem. The Trolley runs daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including much of downtown and the Salem Willows. Regular stops are at the Salem Visitors Center, Witch History Museum, Trolley Depot, Old Burial Point/Witch Trial Memorial, Pickering Wharf/Sea Level restaurant, the House of the Seven Gables, Salem Witch Museum, Peabody Essex Museum, Witch Dungeon Museum, and Salem Witch House/Salem Inn. Passenger requested stops are also made at the Salem Maritime Site, Salem Ferry, Winter Island, Salem Willows, and Hamilton Hall/Phillips House/Chestnut Street. For a complete map, visit: http://salemtrolley.com/map-of-tour-3.html.

The Trustees and New England Sculptors Association are presenting a six-month outdoor sculpture exhibition at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Road in Ipswich. Thirty-two pieces created by New England sculptors have been placed in gardens, along woodland paths and historic landscape. The exhibition is free with regular property admission. Trustees members, free; nonmembers, $15 per car. A free, self-guided tour program is available for the exhibition, which runs till Nov. 11. Visit www.thetrustees.org, or call 978-356-4351 ext. 4015.

“Hawthorne in Hollywood” is a film-lovers series at The House of the Seven Gables featuring three movies made from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s iconic novels. On Sept. 5, at 6:30 p.m., watch the 1940 version starring George Sanders, and Vincent Price. On Friday, Oct. 4 at 6:30 p.m., see Swedish director Victor Sjöström’s silent film interpretation of The Scarlet Letter. For $25 members/$40 nonmembers, a ‘POP! Pass’ buys admission to all three, plus a great supply of popcorn and soft drinks. Individual tickets are $15, $12 for members. This series is co-sponsored by Creative North Shore; Creative Collective MA, and Cape Ann Cinema & Stage, at the House of the Seven Gables, 115 Derby St., Salem. For details, visit: 7gables.org/event/hawthorne-in-hollywood/2019-08-01.

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll invites Salem residents to vote for naming the new public park at 289 Derby St. The park is open and will host a variety of programs. Constructed thanks to a state grant, it features outdoor seating, swing seats, a boardwalk connecting around most of the South River, and open space for programs. An adjacent private property owner is also advancing plans to create outdoor dining. Residents may vote for the name at: http://www.salem.com/289Derby by 4 p.m. on July 31. Rank in order of preference from the following: 289 Derby, Charlotte Forten Park, Naumkeag Park, Nathaniel Bowditch Park, or simply South River Park.

Mass Audubon’s photo contest welcomes shutterbugs of all ages, backgrounds, and experience to share the beauty of the Bay State through photography. The competition is now under way and continues through Monday, Sept. 30. You may enter in either 18-and-older or Under-18 age categories and may focus on six subject areas: People in Nature, Birds, Mammals, Other Animals, Landscapes, and Plants and Fungi. Contestants can submit up to 10 images, taken any time prior to or during the 2019 contest period in Massachusetts or at Mass Audubon’s Wildwood Camp in Rindge, New Hampshire. One grand prize winner will be awarded a $250 gift card and be featured in Mass Audubon’s member newsletter, Explore. Eleven winners will receive $100 gift cards, and at least six honorable mentions will receive $50 gift cards. Additional honorable mentions may be awarded at the discretion of the judges. All gift cards are to be redeemed at a Mass Audubon shop or wildlife sanctuary. To enter and to review contest information, visit massaudubon.org/picturethis.

Corsara Artists, a Peabody-based non-profit music ensemble, presents a reimagined staging of Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera ‘The Medium’ in the recently restored Frank L Wiggin Auditorium in Peabody’s City Hall on Oct. 30, 31. Conducted by Ismael Sandoval with New York City Soprano Sara Law, Peabody’s own Mezzo-Soprano Natalja Sticco, and Mezzo Sarah Klopfenstein, this staging marks the return of world-class opera to Wiggin Auditorium, originally built as an Opera House 1883, now on the National Register of Historic Places. Also on stage, ‘Moonrise Fae;’ a troupe of musicians, storytellers, artists, dancers, fire spinners, and flow artists with a chilling pre-opera performance. want to miss.” Topping off the Oct. 31 performance, a Halloween Party with cast and crew sponsored by Rumson’s Rum of Salem at Peabody’s Black Box Theater from 9 to 11:30 p.m.

ReachArts and Marblehead Little Theatre will collaborate this August in an introductory acting class for anyone who’s ever wanted to embrace their inner actor. Improve speaking skills, meet new people or just enjoy a supportive environment participating in theater games, talking about elements of theater, and winding it all up with a staged reading. Led by Trudi Olivetti, sessions are 90 minutes each on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 13, 15, 20 and 22 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at ReachArts, 89 Burrill St., Swampscott. Registration is $100, open to ages 18 and older, at ReachArts.org or at https://events.time.ly/vjyep64/30899922/tickets.

Babyccino, a free program of Aleph Academy and the Lappin Foundation, offers mothers and their tots up to 24 months, a place to meet and engage in music, arts and play. Held at Chabad of the North Shore, 44 Burrill St, in Swampscott, it runs Thursdays from 10:30 –11:30 a.m., through Aug. 29. Siblings are welcome. For more information or to register, contact Hela Nathan at 763-807-9450 or nsjewishkids@gmail.com. Walk-ins are welcome.

Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield offers a variety of family programs this summer. Families with children 4 years and older may join artist/naturalists for one or more of these programs combing nature exploration and crafts, Thursdays, from 9 to 11 a.m. Begin with a walk on the sanctuary, followed by a craft activity inspired by the theme of the day. Fee for class is $12 adults, $11 children (discount for Mass Audubon members). Advance registration is required. For complete program descriptions and to register, visit massaudubon.org/ipswichriver or call 978-887-9264.

The American Lung Association and Pilgrim Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center are hosting a free Better Breathers Club for those affected by chronic lung diseases. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at 96 Forest St., Peabody. Different topics will be addressed each month, and light refreshments will be served. Family members and caregivers are welcome. For more information or to RSVP, call 978-532-0303.

City of Salem Wi-Fi is now available in most public city buildings across the city. The free Wi-Fi, accessible by members of the public, can be found at the following locations: City Hall, City Hall Annex, Mayor Jean Levesque Community Life Center, Department of Public Services building, Greenlawn Cemetery Division office, Electrical Department office, All Salem Fire Department stations, Salem Police Department headquarters, Museum Place Garage office. No password is required to access the Wi-Fi, which is public and not secure. The service is provided without warranty and at the user’s own risk.

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll has announced that a new online map showing all capital projects underway in the current fiscal year has been published at www.salem.com/projectsmap. To view capital investments, maintenance, and improvement projects in design and planning or are under construction, click to open a window showing all relevant details. The 151 projects on the map total $115 million in investments to improve Salem’s parks, public spaces, streets, sidewalks, and public buildings, and enhance the City’s ability to deliver local services and maintain a high quality of life for Salem residents.

The Northshoremen Chorus of Beverly is offering three free, 45-minute singing lessons for men of all ages, sponsored by the Beverly Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. The program runs Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m., followed by a workshop at the Italian Community Center, 302 Rantoul St., Beverly. For more information, call 866-727-4988, email northshoremenchorus@gmail.com or visit www.harmonize.com/northshoremen.

Care Dimensions, formerly Hospice of the North Shore & Greater Boston, hosts a new cable TV show, “Caring is Everything” on Danvers Cable Access TV (DCAT). It will address youth bereavement and grief support in partnership with local schools, to deliver youth bereavement services, while training school personnel on childhood grief. Launched in response to a need — six percent of Massachusetts youth are estimated to be bereaved by age 18 — the launch show features Kristin Kowalski, MS, CAGS, who leads the school-based grief support program and will discuss how the program aims to collaborate with local schools. The show will air on Danvers Cable Access TV (DCAT) and on Comcast 99 and Verizon 36, and will run for four weeks at the following times: Fridays, 8 p.m., Saturdays, 11:30 a.m., Sundays, 3:30 p.m., Mondays, 7 p.m., Tuesdays, noon. Visit CareDimensions.org, or www.DanversTV.org/videos.

The Cloister Gallery at St. Andrew’s Church will feature a show by artist Andy Knapp, with photos taken during multiple visits to the northeast Indian state of Sikkim, tucked in the Himalayas between Nepal to the west. Running from Sunday, Aug. 4, through Thursday, Oct. 10, St. Andrew’s Church at 135 Lafayette St., Marblehead. The Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturday, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. to noon. The Gallery is handicapped accessible. For more information, please call 781-631-4951 or visit standrewsmhd.org/cloistergallery.html.

The Red Cross is again issuing an emergency call for blood and platelet donors. Blood supply has now dropped below safe levels and donors are urgently needed. All blood types, especially type O, are requested. You may make an appointment using the Blood Donor App at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767. Completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire is encouraged to help reduce time. The Danvers Blood Donation Center, 99 Rosewood Drive, has appointments daily.

North Shore Community College is holding free training program in essential skills for supervisors, funded by the Workforce Training Fund and offered by the college’s Corporate Training Solutions. This highly interactive program consists of (10) 3-hour modules delivered over ten consecutive weeks, beginning Sept. 10, at NSCC’s Danvers Campus, 1 Ferncroft Road. Topics include Role of the Supervisor; Effective Delegation; Overview of Labor Laws; Performance Reviews; Motivation and Conflict and more. Space is limited and there are business eligibility requirements. For details, contact Elaine Champagne at 978-236-1206 or at echampag@northshore.edu.

The Waldorf School at Moraine Farm is launching a new homeschool program offering on-campus classes to home schooled children in grades 1-8, Tuesdays and/or Thursdays from 10:35 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. Courses span a range of topics and include Cyber Civics, Fine Arts, Handwork, Outdoor Science in Nature, Spanish, German, Strings/Music, and Theater. All courses are taught by Waldorf School at Moraine Farm faculty. The cost for an eight-week session is $250 and includes all materials needed. Registration is now open. For more information, visit: waldorfmoraine.org/waldorf-homeschooling-program/

Beverly High School Class of 1989’s 30th reunion will be Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Carriage House at Lynch Park from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost is $40 per person. Send checks made payable to BHS Class of 1989 c/o Amy (Cook) Kearney, 22 Fawn Lane, Danville, NH 03819. There will be food, a cash bar and a DJ. Call Amy at 978-317-6418 with questions or visit Beverly High School Class of 1989’s 30th reunion on Facebook.

Essex County 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group’s meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The second Tuesday meetings are at the Council on Aging office in Danvers at 25 Stone St., and the fourth Tuesday meetings are held in Peabody at the Peter A. Torigian Senior Center, 75R Central St. Every meeting is facilitated by a professional career coach whose topics will be relevant to career transition and job search. Meetings include guest speakers, access to hiring managers and opportunities to network. For more information, call 978-762-0208.

On Saturday, Aug. 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Our Lady of Fatima Church is holding a yard sale in the church hall at 50 Walsh Ave. in Peabody. Featured items will include wall hangings, furniture, lamps, kitchenware, clothing, tools, games and more. Portuguese food available, too. 978-532-0272.

The Hamilton Police Department will run its eighth Citizens Police Academy, free, on ten consecutive Tuesdays, Sept. 24, through Nov. 26, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Designed to familiarize citizens with the operation and functions of the Hamilton Police Department, Communications Center and Fire Department, the classes cover topics including Criminal Law, Patrol Procedures, Evidence collection, Domestic Violence, Motor Vehicle Enforcement, Court Procedures, and use of force. Participants will observe police officers on a 2 hour police ride and a tour of the Middleton jail. Courses will be taught by Hamilton Police Officers, Police Supervisors, Hamilton Fire-Fighters and Emergency Dispatchers. You must be 18 years or older to attend, and class size is limited to 20. Pick up your application at the Hamilton Police Department, 265 Bay Road; download from: www.Hamiltonma.gov; or request one from Sgt. Stephen Walsh or Sgt. Stephen Trepanier at 978-468-1212. Application deadline is Aug. 30. Preference will be given to Hamilton residents.

Despite urgent calls for emergency donations, the Red Cross blood supply is still below safe levels (less than 3 days) and donors are urgently needed. With the help of a $1 million donation from Amazon, the Red Cross will thank those who donate from July 29 through Aug. 29 with a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card* via email. For complete donation times and locations, check the Salem News’ ongoing community calendars. Make an appointment by activating Amazon’s Alexa Red Cross Blood Skill by saying, “Alexa, find a blood drive,” or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Pack your bags for Discover Israel, the adventure of a lifetime for active adults, organized by Lappin Foundation and the JCCNS. This exciting trip will take place from April 19 to 30, 2020, and is perfect for first-time travelers to Israel or for individuals who have not visited in a while. A second informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 7 to 8 p.m. at Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, 240 Lynnfield Street in Peabody. For more information or to RSVP for the meeting, contact Deborah Coltin at 978-740-4428 or e-mail dcoltin@lappinfoundation.org.

Saint John Paul II Shrine of Divine Mercy, 28 St. Peter St., Salem, will hold a Polish Fest on Aug. 25, from 1 to 6 p.m., with Polish food by Euromart, as well as traditional homemade pastries, a full bar, and authentic Polish Beer. The kids will have games, face painting and bouncy houses, and are welcome to dance to the music of DJ Jurek. Win cash, fine merchandise and gift cars in the big raffle. or $1,000 grand prize on the Special Raffle. All are welcome! For more information, call 978-531-5592.

The 63rd reunion of the Holten High Class of 1956 will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 12 noon to 4 p.m., at the Polish Club, 12 Cheever St., Danvers. Mark Williamson will cater. For more information, call Sally Saplin at 978-777-5074, or Carol Morrissey at 978-774-2485.

The City of Salem needs volunteers to help at our Book Swaps, Textile Drives, and Swap N Drops! Our next Book Swap will be held at the Community Life Center, 401 Bridge Street on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and volunteers re needed for each of the following shifts: Friday, Sept. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m.,: Saturday, Sept. 14, from 8 to 11:45 a.m.; and Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Those interested in volunteering should email Micaela Guglielmiemail, at: mguglielmi@Salem.com. Please state which shift times or times you can volunteer, and what you might be suited to do to help.

Taste of the Gables, now in its 7th year as a deliciously food friendly fundraiser, is coming to the House of the Seven Gables on Sunday, Sept. 15, starting at 4 p.m. Twenty-one vendors, including Alma Fusion, Finz, Hawthorne Hotel, Sea Level Oyster Bar, Stella’s and Ledger, present table-scapes, food, local spirits and craft beers, while guests are invited to participate in a silent auction featuring more than 40 items. A live auction follows at 6:15 p.m. with comedian Mark Scalia as auctioneer. Participate in the raffle and you may win a $2,000 gift certificate from Long’s Jewelers. It’s a great opportunity to introduce people to all the Gables does —not just Hawthorne, not just preservation but, also, the work of the Settlement Program that supports our immigrant population as they establish themselves. Tickets are $100 for members and $125 for general admission. All are welcome. To reserve a spot, register at: 7gables.org/Taste-of-The-Gables.

Adults of all faiths who want to explore Judaism or who are considering conversion to Judaism, are invited to register for Introduction to Judaism, a free 25-week course funded by Lappin Foundation and taught by North Shore rabbis. Participants will study a variety of Jewish topics, including: Hebrew, ethics, prayer, holidays, customs, history and more. Classes will be held on Tuesday evenings, 7 to 9 p.m., beginning Nov. 5 and will meet at various North Shore temples. For more information or to register, visit www.lappinfoundation.org or contact Phyllis Osher at 978-740-4404 or posher@lappinfoundation.org.

The Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB) celebrates its 48th anniversary with a new season of classes for 2019-2020, starting Monday, Aug. 26. Children, teenagers, and adults will find classes for all levels at the studio at 115 Pleasant St. A special highlight is the Beginner Tai Chi and the Rooting Pine Qi Gong Method class for teenagers and adults, but there are classes to meet the needs of dancers of all levels and ages, from ballet, pointe, and variations; pre-ballet and creative movement; modern and jazz; repertory; Pilates, stretch and strength, Tai Chi and Qi Gong; and partner dancing with ballroom, fox trot, swing, Latin, and Argentine Tango. Director Paula K. Shiff teaches the adult ballet classes, favorites with students, on Thursday morning and Wednesday evening. Private lessons are also available for dancers preparing for special events or requirements. The school operates year round and offers open enrollment on a rolling basis. Students are welcome to start any time, but advanced registration is required. For information/registration, visit www.marbleheadschoolofballet.com, email: msb@havetodance.com, or call 781-631-6262.

Thursday, Aug. 15, 5 to 8 p.m., the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce annual shindig goes for a slam dunk with Beverly Fire Chief Joe Daly, Mayor Ted Bettencourt, PACC board chair Mike Maura, and board member Ed Lomasney taking the plunge in the tank at Tupper Manor, at the Wylie Inn & Conference Center on the campus of Endicott College in Beverly. It’s all part of this year’s carnival theme, sponsored and encouraged by Peabody Wealth Advisors, whose fearless leader Mike Murray will set the mood by donning a clown wig. Along with the dunking will be carnival games, food, prizes, music and more. The event — a casual, adult outing — is open to both PACC members and the public. Tickets are $40 in advance, and $50 at the door, and include buffet dinner and cash bar. For information/registration, visit: peabodychamber.com, or call: 978-531-0384.

Friends of the late Robert “Rocky” Ellis, Beverly High School Class of 1962, are gathering to celebrate his life at the Beverly Golf & Tennis Club Wednesday, Sept 11, from 3 to 7 p.m. A buffet will be served. Reservations are required. Please make out a check for $25 to Roger Pierce and send to Roger at 667 Wethersfield St, Rowley, MA 01969. Please include your name and phone number and/or email address. Application must be received by Aug. 28.

The 63rd reunion of the Holten High Class of 1956 will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Polish Club, 12 Cheever St., Danvers. Mark Williamson will cater. For more information, call Sally Saplin at 978-777-5074, or Carol Morrissey at 978-774-2485.

Tickets are on sale for Salem State University’s public lecture featuring PBS “Masterpiece” executive producer Rebecca Eaton on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Eaton’s lecture will be at Salem State University’s Sophia Gordon Center. Tickets are $25 general admission, $10 for Salem State students, and are available at salemstate.edu/series or by calling 978-542-7555.

The SPUR Student Success Back-to-School drive is underway and with the partnership of individuals, families and businesses, we aim to support over 600 children, by providing new backpacks and school essentials to children in need in Lynn, Marblehead, Salem and Swampscott. You can help by sending a tax deductible check by Aug. 16, or visiting www.spur.community to sponsor a backpack and school supplies. You can also help us fill backpacks and write personalized notes to each child beginning Aug. 11. Program coordinators will then distribute the packs before the first day of school. Purchase a backpack and supplies for a K - 2nd grader ($56.35) Purchase a backpack and supplies for a 3rd - 5th grader ($62.48) Purchase a backpack and supplies for a 6th - 12th grader ($73.51) Purchase a backpack ($31.22) Purchase school supplies ($38.46). To learn more, contact Founder & Executive Director, Jocelyn Cook at 781-451-7787.

Stories & Songs with Ryan welcomes children ages 2 to 4 weekly, for songs, stories and activities on Wednesdays, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at the Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant St., Marblehead. Caregivers must attend — no registration needed.

North Shore Elder Services is seeking the following volunteers: Friendly Visitors to visit with seniors living in Salem or Peabody; and Money Managers to help seniors balance checkbooks and prepare simple budgets. Volunteer applications are available at www.nselder.org. For more information, call 978-624-2288 or email: volunteer@nselder.org.

An all-star musical lineup of Mason Daring and Jeanie Stahl, Guy Van Duser and Billy Novick, and Bill Staines will kick off the 50th anniversary celebrations of the me&thee coffeehouse at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford St. with a special concert on Friday, Sept. 6, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Chamber of Commerce members. Tickets are $25 in advance and $28 at the door. Students, $10; or online, at www.meandthee.org, or at the Spirit of Bookstore or the Arnould Gallery in Marblehead. Refreshments , including homemade pastries, coffee, and teas, will be on hand. The me&thee has a handicapped-accessible entrance and an accessible bathroom, is smoke-free, and easily reached by MBTA bus. The oldest continually running all-volunteer acoustic listening room in New England, the me&thee is a non-profit sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987 or check the website at www.meandthee.org.

Salem’s Mack Park Neighborhood Association (MPNA) will return to its monthly schedule with a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m., at the Moose Family Center, 50 Grove St. This month’s meeting will consist of a Ward 6 Councilor Candidate Debate. The presentation starts promptly at 7 p.m., following a 6:30 p.m. pre-meeting social, including refreshments. We will also be accepting donated items for our yard sale, which will be held on Sept. 14, at 9 a.m. at the corner of Tremont and Harrod Streets., in Salem.

All are welcome to attend the Jewish Book Group of the North Shore for an evening with Faith Quintero, local author of the newly released novel, “Loaded Blessings,” on Monday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. at Temple Tiferet Shalom, 489 Lowell St., Peabody. Alternating between Inquisition-era Spain and modern-day Israel, “Loaded Blessings,” is a story that reaches across time. RSVPs are requested to Sharon Wyner at 978-565-4450 or swyner@lappinfoundation.org. The program is free and open to all. Walk-ins are welcome. The evening is sponsored by: Lappin Foundation; Temple Tiferet Shalom; Congregation Ahavas Achim; Congregation Sons of Israel; Congregation Tifereth Israel, Sephardic; Hadassah Northeast; North Suburban Jewish Community Center, Temple Ahavat Achim and Temple Ner Tamid.

The National Touring Theatrical Troupe Act!vated Story Theatre returns this year to the Salem Lit Fest, with their current production of “Star Studded Stories,” on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 10 a.m. at the Salem Library, 370 Essex St. Prior to the performance, actors will host a workshop for kids ages 6 and up. Limited to the first 12, participants will be cast as “guest stars,” dress in a costume and perform a scene in the production, “activates” — rather than just tells — stories from the 2019 library summer reading theme of ‘A Universe Of Stories.’ No experience is needed, but kids must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to show time. The performance itself is open to all ages. For more information, call the library at 978-744-0860. To learn about Act!vated Story Theatre, visit http://activatedstorytheatre.com.

The 7th Taste of The Gables fundraiser is Sunday, Sept. 15, starting at 4 p.m. For the seventh year, its community of supporters have come together for an evening of merriment and mingling to help The Gables preserve, share and continue the American story. Twenty-one vendors will be on hand, along with food, local spirits and craft beers. Guests are invited to participate in a silent auction with more than 40 items followed by a live auction at 6:15 p.m. with comedian Mark Scalia is the auctioneer. Tickets are $100 and $125 for general admission. All are welcome. To reserve a spot, register online at 7gables.org/Taste-of-The-Gables. For more information visit www.7gables.org.

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